Does Atlanta Have an Underground Subway? How MARTA Rail Really Works

Atlanta does have an underground subway, but it’s not a completely underground system like you might find in New York or London. Instead, Atlanta’s main rail system — MARTA rail — is a mix of underground, elevated, and surface-level tracks.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning how to get around the city, here’s exactly what “subway” means here, where trains run underground, and how to actually use them.

Atlanta’s Subway: What Exists and What It’s Called

MARTA Rail Is Atlanta’s Subway System

In Atlanta, the closest thing to a “subway” is the MARTA rail system, operated by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

• Locals usually say “MARTA” or “MARTA train,” not “subway.”
• The system serves Atlanta and parts of Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties.
• Trains run both underground (mainly near Downtown and Midtown) and above ground in the outer sections.

So if someone asks, “Does Atlanta have an underground subway?” the accurate answer is:

Where Is the Subway Actually Underground in Atlanta?

Several MARTA rail stations are fully or mostly underground, especially in central Atlanta. If you’re looking for a classic “subway” feel — escalators down into a station, platforms below street level — you’ll find it at many of these:

Key Underground Stations in the Core

Downtown Atlanta (Underground):

• Peachtree Center Station – Deep underground beneath Peachtree Street; directly connected to many office buildings and hotels via concourses.
• Five Points Station – Main transfer hub where all four lines intersect; located underground just south of Peachtree Center.
• Georgia State Station – Near the Georgia State University campus, largely below street level.

Midtown Area (Partially or Fully Underground):

• Civic Center Station – Just north of Downtown, in a trench/partially underground setting.
• North Avenue Station – Serves Georgia Tech and Midtown; much of the station area is below grade.
• Midtown Station – Centrally located in Midtown, platforms are below street level.
• Arts Center Station – Near major arts institutions; also primarily underground.

Airport:

• Airport Station – Located at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, directly attached to the Domestic Terminal. The station is at the airport’s lower level, functionally “underground” from the traveler’s perspective.

Where the Trains Run Above Ground

Once you leave the core of Atlanta, the MARTA rail system generally comes up to the surface or runs on elevated tracks.

Examples of Above-Ground Segments

• North of Midtown (toward Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and North Springs):
  Stations like Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, North Springs are at or above ground level.

• West of Downtown (toward Bankhead and Hamilton E. Holmes):
  Stations such as Ashby, Bankhead, West Lake, Hamilton E. Holmes are mostly surface-level or elevated.

• East of Downtown (toward East Lake, Decatur, Indian Creek):
  Stations including Inman Park/Reynoldstown, Edgewood/Candler Park, East Lake, Decatur, Avondale, Kensington, Indian Creek are above ground.

• South of Downtown (excluding the Airport):
  Garnett, West End, Oakland City, Lakewood/Fort McPherson, East Point, College Park transition between trench, surface, and elevated segments.

Quick Overview: Underground vs. Above-Ground Portions

Below is a simplified view of how MARTA rail operates around Atlanta:

How the MARTA “Subway” Works Day to Day

The Four Rail Lines

MARTA rail is organized into four color-coded lines:

• Red Line – North–South (North Springs ↔ Airport)
• Gold Line – North–South (Doraville ↔ Airport)
• Blue Line – East–West (Hamilton E. Holmes ↔ Indian Creek)
• Green Line – Short East–West (Bankhead ↔ Edgewood/Candler Park)

All four lines meet at Five Points Station, which is underground. If you’re transferring between lines, you’ll usually do it here.

Using MARTA Like a Subway

For riders, using MARTA’s underground portions feels very similar to any other subway:

1. Enter station – Often via street-level entrances, escalators, or elevators.
2. Tap your fare card – MARTA uses a Breeze Card or Breeze Mobile fare system.
3. Descend to the platform – Especially in Peachtree Center, North Avenue, Midtown, and Arts Center, you’ll go down escalators or stairs to reach the trains.
4. Board the train – Follow overhead signs for the correct line and direction (e.g., “North Springs,” “Airport,” “Doraville,” “Indian Creek,” “Bankhead,” “Hamilton E. Holmes”).

Getting to and From the Airport by “Subway”

One of the most important underground segments for travelers is the Airport Station.

How Airport Station Works

• Located at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Domestic Terminal (South side).
• Accessed via the Airport’s Ground Transportation level.
• Served by Red Line and Gold Line trains.
• Runs directly from the airport through College Park, East Point, West End, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond.

For many visitors, this feels exactly like taking a subway from the airport into the city.

If You Live in Atlanta: When the Subway Is Actually Useful

Common Uses for MARTA’s Underground Rail

People in Atlanta often rely on MARTA rail (including its underground sections) for:

• Commuting into Downtown or Midtown to avoid traffic and parking costs.
• Attending events near:
  • State Farm Arena (close to Five Points, GWCC/CNN Center [above-ground]),
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (GWCC/CNN Center, Vine City),
  • Georgia State University (Georgia State Station),
  • Fox Theatre (North Avenue Station).
• Reaching the airport without driving.
• Connecting with buses at Five Points and other stations.

While MARTA rail coverage doesn’t reach every neighborhood, where it does exist, it often provides the most predictable travel time, especially during rush hour.

How the Underground Stations Feel and Operate

Station Environment

Underground stations in Atlanta are generally:

• Enclosed and climate-moderated compared with outdoor platforms.
• Equipped with escalators, stairs, and elevators for accessibility.
• Marked clearly with line colors, direction signs, and station maps.

Larger underground stations like Five Points and Peachtree Center include:

• Multiple exits to different streets and buildings.
• Indoor concourse areas that connect to offices, hotels, or retail spaces.

Safety and Navigation Tips

• Plan your route in advance by knowing the line color and direction (for example, “Red Line northbound to North Springs”).
• Watch overhead signs; they show train destinations and arrival times.
• Stay behind the yellow or tactile safety line on platforms.
• For late-night travel, many locals prefer to wait in more populated parts of the platform and be aware of their surroundings, as they would in any urban transit system.

Other Rail and Transit Options in Atlanta

To put Atlanta’s “subway” in context, it helps to know what else exists:

Atlanta Streetcar (Not Underground)

The Atlanta Streetcar is a short street-level rail loop around parts of Downtown and the Sweet Auburn area. It runs on tracks in the street, not underground, and serves as a local circulator more than a full subway alternative.

Commuter Rail (Amtrak, Future Projects)

• Amtrak serves Atlanta via Peachtree Station in Midtown, which is above ground, primarily for long-distance rail travel.
• Various commuter rail or expanded transit plans have been discussed over the years, but MARTA rail remains the primary rapid transit “subway-like” system.

Key MARTA Contacts and Locations (For Practical Help)

If you need direct information about MARTA’s subway-style service, schedules, or accessibility, you can contact:

MARTA Headquarters (Garrett A. Morgan Transportation & Control Center)
2424 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer Information: (404) 848-5000

MARTA Five Points Station (Main Downtown Hub)
30 Alabama Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Staff at larger stations like Five Points, Lindbergh Center, and Airport can usually answer basic questions about routes, fares, and accessibility.

Bottom Line: What “Subway” Means in Atlanta

• Yes, Atlanta has an underground subway component — it’s the MARTA rail system, especially through Downtown, Midtown, and the airport.
• The system is not entirely underground; much of it runs at ground level or elevated as it moves into the outer parts of the metro area.
• For everyday use, locals simply call it “MARTA” or “the train,” but if you’re asking whether there’s a train that runs underground like a subway, the answer is absolutely yes, particularly in the central parts of the city and to/from the airport.